Email Security: Big Risk to Organizations and Individuals
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BOSTON, MA, Sep 11 (MARKET WIRE) --
A new report from Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS),
sheds light on the escalating dangers facing organizations that do not
take adequate steps to safeguard their data, their computers, their brand
and even individuals who are becoming victims of targeted, individualized
attacks.
Organizations of every size face serious security challenges simply
because they use email. "My concern is that many organizations are
unaware that their computers may be part of a botnet -- a network of
computers that can be remotely controlled to send spam, participate in
denial of service attacks and even attack infrastructure," said Carol
Baroudi, Sr. Research Analyst. "Hundreds of millions of machines are
infected this way, and the infection is very difficult to detect. Our
research indicates that most organizations realize the need to change
their email security strategy and are actively trying to gain more
control over email." To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit:
http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5285.
The report highlights the vulnerabilities organizations face on three
fronts. New malicious, sophisticated inbound email threats are generated
continuously, and many work in conjunction with pernicious websites in a
blended attack. Aberdeen research revealed that email is viewed as the 2nd
most serious channel for data loss or leakage -- both accidental and
intentional. And email is a conduit for sensitive data within
organizations.
Regulated industries such as financial services and healthcare require
demonstrable control over certain kinds of information and securing email
is critical. "Email is a critical part of all our business processes and
ensuring that every path sensitive data follows is secure and documented
takes a lot of time and effort," says a vice president of a major
financial services organization who was interviewed for this report.
Best-in-Class organizations are doing a much better job in eliminating
spam from the inboxes of their users, keeping them free from infection,
and reducing data loss. Creating and enforcing acceptable use policies as
well as training users in safe and acceptable email use are part of what's
necessary to help organizations improve their email security.
A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part to
support by the following underwriters: Websense, Google, MessageLabs,
Messaging Architects, and Vircom. To obtain a complimentary copy of the
report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?cid=5285.
To access all of Aberdeen's complimentary research please visit
http://research.aberdeen.com.
About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company
Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market
intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having benchmarked more
than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is uniquely
positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating
demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment
analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets,
corporations turn to Aberdeen(TM) for insights that drive decisions.
As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in
context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's
analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of
Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement -
Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role
Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit
Aberdeen http://www.aberdeen.com or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more
about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748 or go to
http://www.harte-hanks.com.
Copyright 2008 Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Harte-Hanks Company
451 D Street, Suite 710
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1928
Telephone: (617)854-5200
Fax: (617) 723-7897
www.aberdeen.com
Media Contact:
Carol Baroudi
Aberdeen Harte-Hanks
(617) 854-5287
carol.baroudi@aberdeen.com
Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.
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